A global first: India unveils genome-edited rice varieties

These may take 15-20 days less to mature

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

In a significant development, India on Sunday released two new genome-edited varieties of rice for the first time in the world. These varieties promise to boost per hectare yields by up to 30 per cent and may take 15-20 days less to mature compared to existing varieties.

"The rice varieties (called 'Kamala- DRR Dhan-100' and 'Pusa DST Rice 1') will consume less water and also help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the environment," said Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The varieties will take at least 4-5 years to reach the farmers after they complete the usual cycle of breeder, foundation and certified seeds.